Tbactob-tbailek safety coupling device



A ril l2 1927.

p s. B. wlNN TRACTOR TRAILER SAFETY COUPLING DEVICE 8. 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Dec.

ril 12 192 Ap l 7 S. B. wlNN TRACTOR TRAILER SAFETY CUPLING DEVICE 3 Shasta-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 8, 1924 April 12, 1927. 1,623,990

s. B. WINN TRACTOR TRAILER SAFETY GOUPLING DEVICE Filed DSC. B, 1924 3 SheetS-Sheet 5 5 6/ e M7?, o 2 /Il/ 55% abtonwipfd Patented Apr. 12, 1927.

rennen oinTao STATES PATENT OFFICE.Y

SIDNEY B. WIEN, OF LAPEEB, MICHIGAN.

TRACTOR-TRAILER SAFETY GGUPLING- DEVICE.

Application filed Becember This invention relates to a tractor trailer combination that may be briefly descrihed as includingl a trailer adapted to Vhave its forward end supported on and attached to the rear end ot the tractor, with the ilorward end oilI the trailer provided with a shittable supporting leg` and brake mechanism so that the forward end ot the trailer may be safely supportedr` with or without the brakes applied, when not supported on the tractor. lilith thc brakes released the trailer may he moved about and the brake mechanism is such that it may be controlled from the tractor when the trailer is attached thereto. The tractor includes, among' other things, a track to facilitate. placing,v the 'forward end or the trailer on the rear end ot the tractor; a litth wheel table to permit ot the tractor turning` relative tothe trailer; a main couplingr mechanism by which the iiornf'ard end ot the trailer may be connected to the rear end oi: the tractor: a draft mechanism establishing; a vyieldable connection between the t actor and trailer; a mechanism operat able by the tractor Yfor shitting' the supporting' leg;l on the trailer, and a mechanism oiviieratable 'trom the tractor tor controlling;l the bralies ot the trailer.

'lhis invention has special reference to an auxiliary safety coupling` device between the tractor and trailer in addition to the main coupling' mechanism.

The invention also has special reference to certain improvements and refinements in connection with the dra-'ift mechanism establishing a yieldable connection between the tractor and trailer. and as an early example oi" such drait mechanism reference may he had to my prior Patent No. 1.249,705, dated Dec. ll, 1917. In this patent the shittable coupling supporting rods are slidable in transverse beams.v and in lieu ot these beams I provide a series of anti-rictional rollers tor suiiiporting said rods. The rollers are ot special design so as to be adjustable to compensate tor wear incident to actuation ot the dial-'t appliance due to pulling, stopping,` and starting ot the tractor trailer combina tion.

My improvements will be hereinafter specilically described, and then claimed, and

8, 1524. Serial No. 754.570.

reference will now be` had to the drawings, wherein- Figure l is a longitudinal sectional view, partly in elevation oit' a, portion ot a tractor trailer combination. illustrating1 the tractor draft appliance, the forward end ot the trailer, and the main and auxiliary coupling mechanisms 5 Fig'. 2 is a cross sectional view of a portion otl the tractorrdratt appliance showing` my improved ai'ititrictional adjustable rollers;

Fig. 3 is a plan of that part of the tractor trailer combination shown in Fig. 1, with a hand brake lever in horizontal section;

Fig. l is a view ot the iront end ol. the trailer showing the auxiliary or safety coup lingdevice;

Fig. is a longitudinal sectional. view of a portion ot the tractor trailer combination showing,` a tractor member about to he coupled to a trailer and the safety coupling device actuated by virtue of the tractor member actuating` leg shitting means of the trailer, and

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view, in elevation, ol a tractor trailer combination.

In order that the relation ot the principal parts ot a tractor trailer combination may he understoodl`v I have shown in Fig. 6 a tractor l having' a fifth wheel table 2 and resting on this table are rollers or wheels 3 at the forward end oit a trailer Ll. The trailer l has the usual rear end truck 5 provided with a brake mechanism 6 which may be controlled from the tractor; automatically actuated when the trailer crowds the tractor, operated by hand when the trailerl is detached from the tractor, and automatically controlled incident to coupling` or uncoupling of the trailer and tractor. The trailer has a shiftahle supporting leg 7 and extending forwardly trom said leg are leg shitting means normally protruding trom the forward end ot the trailer. Between the torward end ot' the trailer and the rear end of the tractor is a main coupling mechanism that may be controlled trom the tractor. lt is believed that this outline ot the tractor trailer combination is suflicient tor the better understanding' of certain improvements to loe de# scribed by aid of the remaining views of the drawings7 and reference will now be had to Figs. l, and for the improvement in connection with a dratt appliance carried by the tractor l under the fifth Awheel table (in the chassis or side frames of the traetor l are transverse beams S which support the table 2 and may be integral therewith as shown. Intermediate the ends ol' the beams 8 are housings 9 and in each housing are a series of aiiti-ti'ictional `roll rs arranged in sets with the rollers ot' one housing in longitudinal alinement with the rollers of the other housing so that sets of said rollers may cooperate in supporting dra'lft rods or bars l0.

Each anti-frietional roller is held in place by a vertically disposed nutequipped bolt l1 having its upper end or head loose in the upper Wall of the housing` 9 so that said bolt may be adjusted relative to said housing. Each roller includes conical members 12 and 13, the latter being aujustable by the bolt 1l relative `to the 'former and both ot' lsaid members are held relative to `the bolt by antifrictional bearings la and l5, the former being engaged by the head ot the bolt and the lat-ter engaging` a boss lG provided therefor on the lower Wall ot the housing 9. The roller member 1Q has a sleeve portion 17 teleseoped by the member 13 and as the conical members l2 and t3 become Worn the bolt 11 may be adjusted to lower the conical member 13 towards the conical member 12 and t-hus eliminate `any lost motion or sloppy movement ot the draflt rod between the conical roller members.

Mounted on the draft rods or bars 10, intermediate the ends thereof, the base. 18 ot a hollow tractor member 19. and encircling the draft rods or bars l0, between the housings 9 land the ends et the base 1F; are two sets ot springs 20, which allor-d a yieldable connection betweel'i the tractor l and the trailer el, the springs absorbing` strains incident to pulling, stopping7 starting, and irregular road conditions.

The tractor member 19 forms part oi a main coupling mechanism which includes. among other things, a tubular king bolt 2l g an abutment or head E22; a ball coupling` member 28; a supporti-ng spring 2l; a mechanism, generallyY designated 25, operatable from the tractor tor lowering the ball roupling member 28, and a socket coupling member 26 carried by the forward transverse end frame 27 ot the trailer al and adapted to receive the ball coupling member 2? `lo establish a coupled relation between the tractor and trailer.

The brake operating mechanism o ot the trailer et includes a transverse rock shalt il journaled in bearings carried by the end 'frame 91T et the trailer and ou the rock shalt is mounted the loi-hed end a hand lever 3() by which the trailer brakes may be actuated 'when [be trailer is detached 'roui the tractor. Looscly nilouuted on the roel; shalt 28 is a sector rarl; ll and au operative relation between. this rack and the hand lover 3l) may be established by a hand controlli-)d pani. 39. carried by il .e lever Ill). 'lhe sector rack ll has a shoe 32 adapted lo he engaged by the head :l2 olf the tractor coupling mem ber l5), and. this shoe ill is adapted to be en (ejagcd by a brake artuating1 piu lil slidable in the tubular hina' bolt ill with the lower end oit' .said pin engaged b an opera ing mechanism, generallyr designated Ill, adapted to be operated 'from the tractor l? .so that the driver olf the tractor mayv set the trailer bralres at will. lt is also bjr virtue olf this` mechanism that the trailer brakes are la'ought into action yby the trailer attendu'M ing to crowd or push the tractor. The said mechanism permits olf the trailer brakes heing manually controlled when the trailer is independent oll the tractor. It the trailer brakes are not applied when the tractor is to be backed into engagement with the trailer. the trailer brakes are set by hand.

The brake mechanism between the tractor and trailer also includes a` spring dislendrd member Se suitably supported by the end frame QT oli the trailer l and the lorn'a rd end ol this membe.: has a drag linl: ilu engageable under the head 212 o l the tractor roupling member l?) so that said tractor couplingl member may `pull the member :l5 lor Ward as the tractor mores away 'lroui the trailer. The member il?) is :ulapled lo eugage under rollers 3T carried by the lei-tor rack 3l, whereby the sector rail; ll will be elevated by the member Si' to hold the trailer brakes set or applied as the tractor leai'es the trailer.

The shitting means ol. the trailer cludes trfo parallel dran1 rods or barsl protruding 'from the lnward end` 'lr-aule i2 oli the trailer "with the iorwm'd ends ol' the rods BS connected by a cross head ll :uia'iilful to be engaged by the abutment or lufml 21.2 ot the tractor member lll. as the tractor is coupled to the trailer: rearward movement ot the cross head 39 causing the support leg l' otl the trailer fllo he elevated lo au inurl i re position as loir;a` as the tractor is roupled lo the trailer. Then the tractor uorcs :in'ay 'from the trailer, the drap` linl ill? ol the member 35 causes said member to iinpiiufe against the cross head 239. thereby` shiltinn the cross head forward and thus imparting movement to the sirpportiug` leg. 'which movement is in an opposite direrion lo that mparted to the supporting legi eben rou uecting the tractor and trailer. ln other words. the leg shifting means may be :irnaled by the tractor 'lor two purposes. `ln pa sing. it is lo be noted that 'the rods lib' function ilor leg raising purp()nerf-1I .somewhat l, l. on

lill

lou

lilo

lilo

lill) similar to the single rod or bai shown in my prior Patent No. 1,372,922, dated lrl'arch 29, 1921, or t-lie single bar shown iii my 4Patent No. lll), dated May l?, 192i, thus indicating that the tractor trailer construct-ion herein disclosed is not limited to a parallel arrangement oit leg shitting rode or bars.

New consideriiiioi one of the :features ol this invention, the toi-ward ond :trame 2T ot the trailer l ieprovided with a set ot brackets l0 'with the brake rock shat't 28 exteiidinxinr through one of the brackets l0. l"i\f'otally connected to the brac-hete -lO are the torlied ende ell ol a bail shaped auxiliary coupling member l2 and the lorlted ende `ot'rthie coupling member are connected by coiled retractile springe to said brackets with said springs arranged to swing' the couplin` nieniber l2 upwardly and hold it at an angle to the horizontal; the open or raised position oit the couplingmember being' delined by stop lugs la ot' the couplingl member en raging atop shoulders -li ot the braclfete llt).

Vrlhis is best shown in l? 5, also luge lo carried by the endsI ot the coupling member 4t2 and adapted to be engaged by the crosa head 39 to lower the coupling' ii'ieinber to a closed or coupled position as the tractor becomes attached to the trailer by the main couplin.

It is to be noted that the cross head 252) has a configuration suitable tor engagement with the-luge Llf3 and the abutment or head oit' the tractor ineinber l), said cross head also providingclearance for previously nien` tioned parte ot the brake operating mechanism.

On the it'oiward part ot the hollow tractor member 19 is a horn el? which cooperatea with a pivoted spring` pressed latch l in ilioiining a socket or keeper al) tor the pivoted Sprinpr elevated coupling' member e2. .llie latch i8 ot such conliguratien that the coupliii nieu'iber -lQ may nipiiige against the latch and snap into a socket or keeper t), said latch includingl a jaw 50 that may be engaged by the coupling. member 42 to Seist in closing the latch. lonnectcd to the javv 5() ot the latch is a latch operating meehanisin including a. link 5l arranged in the hollow tractor member 19 and operatively connected to a bell crank in the lower part oi'f base i178 ot the. tractor member lt). Attached to the bell, cranl; is a flexible connection 53 that may be traiiied through, the uppermost housingl l) of the dratt appliance and entend vt'orwardly ao that the driver ot the tractor may manually open the latch 48 against the action ot a f-:priiigl :'i-l aeeocated with said latch. By retereiice to lfig. l, it `will beV noted that the closed and coupled iiosition oi. the member -ilis below the plane ot the pivots ot said coupling!v iucnilwr, con-A sequently the retractiletorce ot the springs o will tend to hold the coupling member ft2 at all times within the socket or keeper -l-f) duringy service of the tractor relative to the trailer. lillien the latch l?, is manually actuated the jan' at) tenda-i to kick the coupling member upwardly until. the outer end ol thc coufliling' member is above the horizontal pivotal plane olf said member, when the spring;- -l 'tunctione to rai-e the coupling` member to the open po ition delined by the atop lugs and .ahoulilers -l-t and rcapectively.

lt ie non* apparent that the couplinit;` meinber l2 cooperates with tli tractor member lll in pi'oii'iding; an auf-ililuv or safety coupling between the tractor and trailer, iii addition to the main coupling7 and that tlie configuration oit the coupling member y-l is such as not to interfere with turning;v ot the trac-- tor relative to the trailer. The coupling `member also provides ample clearance for the main coupling and bi1-alge operating mechaniem, and it ie believed that the utility ot' the improveiiicnta herein ect toi-th will be apparent withoutv further deacription.

lli'hile in the drawings there is illustrated a prcterred embodiment olf each improvement7 it ie to be understood that the structural eleiiiem are eueceptible to auch changers as are perini e by the appended claims.

li'liat l claim isz-- l. it iouplinr; device ttor a tractor trailer combination, comprisingl a` tractor mciiiber, a TI'railer member ewingable down over said tractor member; and ineane carried by Said 1tractor member adapted to retain said trailer member iii a cloned coupling` position, Said trailer nieniber being` supported to automatically aasuiue an open uncoiipled position when released by said means.

5i, coupling` device 'lora tractor trailer combination, comprising' a tractor nien'il'ier, a trailer member supported to be actuated by said tractor member, to swing down over eaid 'tractor member and assun'ie a` couplinpr position when Said tractor member is ehitted in proximity to leaid trailer member5 and means carried by Said tractor member adapted to retain id trailer member in a closed couplingv position.

JS. ln a tractor trailer combination .vherecoupling` inechaniam connects the tractor and trailer; au auxiliary coupling` lor said trac-tor trailer combination, said auxiliary conpli being in a plane above the main coupling neclianism and operatable tor coupling purposes by the tractor aesui'ning a.

lce relation to the t '-ailei.

l-il An, auxiliary coupling;l ioia tractor trailer combination as called tor in claim I3@ wherein aV tractor nicuibci' impingcs against a trailer member and establishes a coupled rfc-'latioii between the tractor and trailer.

,ln a tractor trailer combination wherein a tractor is adapted to have its rear end l lll) liti ieu

lli

backed under the forward end et the trailer' and automaticall3T connected thereto by a main coupling;a coupling tor the tractor and trailer, said coupling;` including,` a tractor member forming part of the main coupling, and a trailer' coupling` membe' actuated by the tractor member to swing` over the main coupling` and assume a coupled position relative to the tractor member.

G. A tractor-trailer combination as falled for in claim 5, and a latch mechanism, on the tractor member adapted to prevent accidental displacement ot the trailer' coupling member'.

7. The combination ot a trailer, a pivoted spring' elevated coupling' member on the :fori wart end of said trailer, a tractor, a trailer member adapted to cause said trailer coupling member to swine' downwardly on to said tractor member, and means on said tractor member for retaining' said trailer coupling' member in engagement with said tractor member.

8. The combination called -tor in claim 7, wherein said latch mechanism is operatable through said tractor member trom a remote point relative to said tractor member.

9. The combination ot a trailer, a shittable trailer supportirmv lee' at the forward end of Ysaid trailer. leg shittingv means protrudinnv from the forward end ot said trailer and adapted to be engaged to shift said leg' to a trailer siqmortingv position, a coupling; member on said trailer adapted to be ac tuated `by said legshitting means, a tractor, and a tractor member adapted to engage said leg' shitting1 means and cause said means to actuate said coupling member and place said coupling member in engagen'ient with said tractor member to establish a coupled relation between said trailer and tractor.

l0. The combination called for in claim 9, and a latch i-nechauism associated with said tractor member tor retaining' said couplingmember in engagement therewith.

ll. The combination called for in claim 9, wherein said coupling` member is pivoted, and springs are adapted to lio-ld said couplinn' member in an open position when said tractor is detached from said trailer.

l2. The combination called `lor in claim 9, wherein said coupling' member is bail shaped with its ends provided with sets ot lugs, one set to limit the movenient ot said coupling' men'iber in one direction, and the other of lues to be engaged by said len' shitting means.

13. In a tractor trailer combination. a main tractor and trailer `coupling` mechanism including a tractor member, an adjustable trailer supportina` lee', means engageable bv said tractor member tor adjustinar said suplmrtinc` len'. and a sa'tety tractor and trailer coupling `device having' a rear portion actuated by said means to place a front portion ot said device in engagement 'with said tractor member.

la. lfn a tractor trailer combinatiom a main t'actor and trailer coupling' mechanism including' a tractor member, an adjuatable trailer snmorting legi', mcane engageable by ,said tractor member tor adjusting said supporting lea, and a satet'vv tractor and trailer coupling` device actuated by said means, said device including` a member mvingable over :said tractor member.

l?. ln a tractor trailer combiimtion. a main tractor and trailer coilplinn` mechan nism including; a` tractor member, an adjustable trailer suppm'ting;` leg', means engage able b v said. tractor membri' Afor adjusting said supimrtincj legi'. and a salir-'ty tracto and trailer coupling; device actuated by said means, said device includingr a member swing'able over said tractor member, and a manuallyY controlledV latch mechanism on said tract-or member tor said coupling mendaci'.

1G. The combination oli a. trailer having a rear truck, a shittable leg' adapted tor snpportingr the ilimiward end ot said trailer, a cross head at the `forward end of said trailer adapted tor shitting' said lee', a. tractor adapted to have its rear end backed under the forward end ot said trailer to eiig'age said cross head and shift said leg, and a couplinc device actuated b v said cross hcad to couple said tractor and trailer ton-ether.

1T. The combination called lor in claim 1G, wherein said coupling device :swingable above said cross head and is adapted to be held in a closed` coupled position by said tractor until nnlnnall'tT released.

1S. ln a tractor trailer cinnbimltiim where in a main coupling' connects the tractor and trailer together for combined service operation and permits ot said tractor and trailer boinc' disengaged i'or independent service. and wherein the trailer may be nniintained in position when in independent service; a shittable supporting' leo' 'tor the forward end of the trailer. shittingr moans ilfor said lea. said shittingr menne` being cngageable by the main coupling; ot said tractor and tra'ler to sh'iitt l:said lon' in one direction.y means associated with said shitting' means cngragreablc and discngrageablo relative to said main couplinfi` 'tor shitting said shittincv means in an opposite direction. and an auxiliair;Y coupling` ennagrcable by sait` shifting means to est: blish an additional conncction between .said tractor and trailer.

1.9. tractor trailer combiiniiion as called :tor iin claim 1.8, wherein said auxiliary couplingr includes a member ol' the main couplinej.

Q0. A tractor trailer combination as called toi' in claim itl. `wherein said auXilarli`- con pling' includes a pivotcd bail supported in an open position. at an angle to the horifi r; 1 o

Lesage() zontal and adapted to be swung downwardly over said main coupling.

2l. A tractor trailer combination. as called tor in claim 1S, wherein said auxiliary coupling includes a pivoted hail supported in an open position at an angle to the horizontal and adapted to be swung downwardly over said main coupling, said bail loeinr automatically secured in a closed coupled position and adapted to he manually released.

22. In a tractor trailer combination wherein the connection of the tractor to the trailer includes a draft appliance having draft rods movahly supported from the tractor means for supporting said rods, said means including anti-trictional rollers with said rollers having adjustable members to compensate -for wear on said rollers.

23. Draft rod supporting means as called for in claim 22, wherein each roller includes opposed members, one telescopic ot the other.

24. Draft rod supporting means as called for in claim 22, wherein adjustable bolts hold said rollers in place, and each roller includes two members with one of said members shiitable by a bolt.

In testimony whereof I atHX my signature.

SIDNEY B. WINN. 

